This year we welcomed four new faces: Mr
Antony Cornell (Physics 67-72), Peter Leonard SG65, Timothy Leonard
SG61, Lionel Partridge SG63.
Six former SGS staff were present: Mr
Barry Bartholomew, Mr Dick Bozeat, Mr
Tony Cornell, Mr Bryan Hollamby,
Mr Peter Scott and Mr Chris Wain.
Our MC this year was John
Dimmock SG59, who has succeeded Chris Bent SG53.
John is also our Box Office manager. John's
wife Sue and daughter Emma again assisted with the drinks.
John also purchased bouquets, drink, obtained the necessary licence
and is the reunion book-keeper.
Perhaps next year he will be sporting the dickie
bow in SGS colours worn by his predecessor ...
Guests of Honour
Dr Carin Taylor - Executive
Head of The
Staploe Education Trust, who has not missed any of our
events during her tenure when she began as Principal of Soham
Village College in 2006.
Mrs Ann Jarman - daughter of Mr CJ Ford
Tamaris Taylor - our principal speaker
and eldest daughter of Peter Askem.
The Grace was
given this year by Mr Antony Cornell, Physics 67-72 and
formerly Pastor at The Lighthouse in Ely:
We receive this food with thanksgiving, blessed by You.
We remember the times that we met in this hall to sing hymns and to pray in our daily assemblies.
We rejoice that you blessed us then and you bless us now. Amen
Welcome: John Dimmock SG59 John welcomed Grammarians and their guests and our Guests of Honour. He reminded us of our reunion tradition of passing the Rose Bowl to collect for the serving team made up of senior students from SVC. Later he made a presentation of a sharing gift to Sara Coutts who so ably managed our catering. John presented bouquets to our Guests of Honour ... |
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 |
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The Roll Call - we stood in turn
to state our name, years at SGS, where we lived then and where we live
now ... and as usual some found it necessary to consult their name
badges.
MENU
Starter
Creamy mushrooms on toasted wholemeal bread, with salad garnish
Main Course
Chicken Chasseur with Duchess Potato, Cauliflower Cheese, Baton
Carrots and Peas
Pudding
Individual Sherry Trifle
Cheese and Biscuits
Coffee or Tea
| Towards the end of the Lunch we sang Happy
Birthday to Peter Nicholls SG 39 who would be
celebrating his 90th Birthday on the 9th October. Peter's
knowledge of the area is encyclopaedic. A special card and our gift - a new book on Little Bookham in World War 1, published by the Leatherhead & District Local History Society - were presented to him by Frank, who lives in Leatherhead, a few miles from Little Bookham, and is a member of the History Society. Peter spent part of his childhood in Little Bookham, before his family moved to Burwell where he still lives. He is related to Rusty Bridgeman SG37 who was an RAF pilot who lost his life in 1961. |
 photo: Sue Dimmock |
The Loyal Toast was given by Alan
Hill SG53, one of our regulars, who travels from Toronto.
At the end of the talk John reminded us
that two Soham Grammarians were known to have received high awards
since our last reunion:
Dr Simon
Curtis SG67 received the Sir Colin Spedding Award, presented by
HRH The Princess Royal, President of the National Equine Forum. “Given
in recognition of his exceptional practical and educational
contributions to farriery over 45 years.” more
details
Professor
Geoff Fernie SG59, our speaker last year was awarded The Order
of Canada for “his advancements in the field of rehabilitation
engineering, notably in the development of therapies and products
designed to assist individuals with limited mobility.” This is one of
the highest civilian honours awarded in Canada. more
details
Dr Carin
Taylor's welcome to Soham Village
College came at the end of the talk, as part of her
presentation on the impressive Art facilities provided in the
Fitzwilliam Arts Lab on site, but is shown here for continuity.
She welcomed the Grammarians to
Soham Village College and thanked them for inviting her to their
Lunch. She thanked Frank Haslam and John Dimmock for all their
work in ensuring that this event continued to thrive each year.
Dr Taylor shared news of the school, which included excellent results in
2018 which it is believed will place Soham Village College in the top
15% of all schools nationally. This is great news for the
community; the school serves a fully comprehensive intake. Soham
Village College was once again significantly over-subscribed and the
school currently has almost 1400 students on roll.
 Two of the serving team receive the Rose Bowl collection on behalf of their colleagues |
 Sara Coutts receives a gift for the Catering Team |
Our apologies to Stan Harley SG53 who was all set to give the Toast To Absent Friends. In sorting out some technical issues this was sadly overlooked:
The Reunion Booklet listed those whose deaths had been made known to us since the last reunion: Peter Askem 54-72, Philip Bignell 1951, Reg Brown 1947, Peter Deasley 1954, John Firby 1949, ACV Foster 53-57, Chris Graves 1951, Philip Henderson 1964, Jack Hoxley 1935, John George Lester 1937, John Marven 1944, Trevor Newton 1944, Barry Sheldrick 1957, Roger Sulman SG52, Colin Thornhill 1940.
John Dimmock asked us to note that:
- he has been informed that the banks are moving to the digital clearing of cheques and has been advised that cheques which have writing on the back could cause problems - so please don't write on the back of your cheque!
- the deadline for bookings required by our caterers is being ignored by some despite reminders from us. Please don't leave things to the last minute.
- the date for our next Reunion Lunch, which we hope
you will make a note of, is Saturday 5th October 2019
Who booked for the 2018 Lunch? And who sent apologies?
Some 2018 Reunion Luncheon photos
Please contact the editor
about any missing or incorrect IDs. Name and entry year are shown.
All images by Frank Haslam unless otherwise stated
 Sue Dimmock again presided over the Drinks. She was assisted by Emma Hawes. |
 Frank looking for gremlins. Is it on? photo: Sue Dimmock |
L-R: David Parr SG68 - Tamaris Taylor - Edward Kisby SG67
all former pupils of the Acremont Preparatory School, Ely
L-R: Mr Barry Hollamby - Mr Bryan Bartholomew - Mr Peter Scott - Mr Dick Bozeat
L-R: Dr Carin Taylor - Tamaris Askem - Tim Leonard SG61 - John Dimmock SG59 - Peter Leonard SG65 - Ann Jarman
Tamaris was staying in Cambridge and Alan very kindly provided transport.
Note the discussion in the background.
The Edward Armitage Memorial Tree continues to prosper.
It was a wet day and nearly 6pm when this was taken.
images: unless otherwise stated, Frank Haslam
Page created 9 Oct 18: last updated 18 Oct 18
If you have good images to add to or improve this page, or commentary, please contact the editor